Twins option Adalberto Mejia, place Justin Haley on DL

Immediately following today’s game, the Twins optioned rookie starter Adalberto Mejia to Triple-A Rochester, and also placed Rule 5 draft pick Justin Haley on the DL with right bicep tendinitis. The only solace here is that these are the first roster moves the Twins have had to make all year. The Twins were one of only two teams to have yet to make a roster move.

Optioning Mejia makes sense for the Twins. Since the team has an off-day this upcoming Thursday, April 27th, and another one the following Monday, May 1st, they can get by with a four-man rotation beyond the next ten days (which is as soon as they could recall Mejia, barring an injury to someone else). According to Rhett Bollinger, this is what they plan to do. And heck, maybe the Twins will call up a different pitcher after that time, say, a Jose Berrios? He’s been pretty hot in Triple-A, posting a 1.42 ERA in his nineteen innings pitched so far.

Justin Haley’s injury comes as a bit of a surprise, as I had no idea he had anything wrong. Maybe it had something to do with the pitch that got away from him and (pretty clearly on accident) hit Jacoby Jones in the face?

The corresponding roster moves have yet to be announced, but the Twins will definitely call up at least one pitcher, most likely in relief. J.T. Chargois? Buddy Boshers? The other move could be another hitter, perhaps Kennys Vargas.

Stay tuned...